Vuelo Velo 8

You should recognize the name of Vuelo Velo from that enigmatic titanium track frame with the curved seat tube that took the world by storm last year. Martin Renwick is back with a new road frame called ‘Vuelo 8’ and while it still features the curved silhouette, it is less pronounced than previous incarnations. It still retains the benefits of a shorter wheelbase—a more responsive ride, more agile climbing and the ability to carve corners like it’s on rails.

Vuelo 8 has been built with an exclusive first: Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting system with updated sprint shifters. Being a classicist myself, and having experience in the fundamental unreliability of computers, I will reserve my judgment on this system. I am, however, looking forward to observing how this technology is adopted by the Pro peloton. The addition of the sprint shift button is so new that bar tape has not evolved sufficiently to cope with the extrusion on the bars. Hidden inside the seat tube is a custom Calfee battery that provides the required power. Vuelo 8 has also been equipped with an SRM PowerMeter, which relies on the updated Dura-Ace cranks and chainrings.

The pliant titanium frame is complemented by carbon fiber through the rest of the components: Mad Fiber tubbys, ENVE forks, stem and bars and a Tune seat post and bidon cages.

Read the whole dissertation on the Vuelo Velo website, and the review by James Huang and Matt Pacocha of Bike Radar for more detailed photos and the Pro perspective. Thanks to Brad Kaminski of Velo News for the photography.